MSC International Business at the UB Barcelona
Frequently asked questions
I am excited to share that I have successfully completed the MSc International Business program at UB Barcelona, graduating in the summer of 2022. As a program ambassador, I am delighted to answer any questions you may have and provide insight into my experience with the program.
Below, you will find a summary of the most frequently asked questions and my personal responses based on my experience.
I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any further questions or if there is anything else I can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would love to hear from you.
In my experience, everyday university life was highly structured, with a heavy emphasis on group work and assessments. Attendance is mandatory, and participation is expected. During the first semester, the class operates like a single unit, with a designated classroom, assessments that are submitted individually or in groups, and frequent group work with 5-6 members, which is graded as a team. As a result, in every class there is a written submission, group work, presentation, or similar task to complete almost every week.
In addition, many exams are multiple choice, and there are negative marks for incorrect answers. The grading system includes a range of factors, such as group work, final projects, presentations, participation, and exams. While this may seem like a lot, the focus is more on quantity than quality. Rather than striving for perfection in individual exams or presentations, the goal is to deliver an overall good performance.
As a result, I found it relatively easy to achieve good grades, but achieving excellent grades required more effort.
The professors are generally very nice and helpful. Since the program has small classes of up to 30 students, the atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming. In many ways, the classes are like school, with opportunities for participation, discussions, and collaboration.
The professors in the program are very approachable and always willing to help. They take the time to explain concepts thoroughly, and they are open to discussing any questions or concerns that students may have. Overall, I had a very positive experience with the professors in the program and found them to be highly supportive of their students‘ academic and professional goals.
The class in the MSc International Business program was very diverse, with around 30 students from 18 different nationalities. We had students from all over the world, including China, Pakistan, Germany (lots of Germans like always), the Netherlands, the Americas, Canada, and Mexico. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we quickly became like a little family, meeting up regularly to hang out and do activities together.
Of course, your experience in the program will depend on your classmates and the dynamics of your particular class. I have heard from students of 2022’s class that they were less active and met less frequently. However, in my experience, the class was very close-knit and supportive, which made for a highly enjoyable and memorable academic experience.
Everyday life at the university
In my experience, everyday university life was highly structured, with a heavy emphasis on group work and assessments. Attendance is mandatory, and participation is expected. During the first semester, the class operates like a single unit, with a designated classroom, assessments that are submitted individually or in groups, and frequent group work with 5-6 members, which is graded as a team. As a result, in every class there is a written submission, group work, presentation, or similar task to complete almost every week.
In addition, many exams are multiple choice, and there are negative marks for incorrect answers. The grading system includes a range of factors, such as group work, final projects, presentations, participation, and exams. While this may seem like a lot, the focus is more on quantity than quality. Rather than striving for perfection in individual exams or presentations, the goal is to deliver an overall good performance.
As a result, I found it relatively easy to achieve good grades, but achieving excellent grades required more effort.
The professors are generally very nice and helpful. Since the program has small classes of up to 30 students, the atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming. In many ways, the classes are like school, with opportunities for participation, discussions, and collaboration.
The professors in the program are very approachable and always willing to help. They take the time to explain concepts thoroughly, and they are open to discussing any questions or concerns that students may have. Overall, I had a very positive experience with the professors in the program and found them to be highly supportive of their students‘ academic and professional goals.
The class in the MSc International Business program was very diverse, with around 30 students from 18 different nationalities. We had students from all over the world, including China, Pakistan, Germany (lots of Germans like always), the Netherlands, the Americas, Canada, and Mexico. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we quickly became like a little family, meeting up regularly to hang out and do activities together.
Of course, your experience in the program will depend on your classmates and the dynamics of your particular class. I have heard from students of 2022’s class that they were less active and met less frequently. However, in my experience, the class was very close-knit and supportive, which made for a highly enjoyable and memorable academic experience.
The program & courses
One question that is often asked about the MSc International Business program is whether financial courses are difficult. The short answer is no. The finance courses are not too difficult. Please check the official program syllabus. Basically, it is two courses in the first semester: financial management and accounting – unless you choose not to take any finance electives in the second semester. Accounting covers the basics, and also, finance is manageable. The finance professor Marti is very friendly and helpful, which can make the learning process much easier.
In general, the MSc International Business program is very diverse, offering a little bit of everything as an international business program. Whether you’re interested in finance, marketing, or operations management, you will find courses that fit your interests and skill level.
Yes, but it can become very challenging. During my first semester, I continued my part-time job at an online marketing agency while also attending classes and completing a significant amount of coursework. However, it was quite stressful to balance both commitments, as the program is very structured, with a set schedule, mandatory attendance, and a lot of homework to complete outside of class time. It’s essential to adjust your work schedule accordingly to fit everything in.
While I worked throughout my entire Bachelor’s and Master’s studies, the workload during the first semester of the MSc program was especially intense. There are many classes to attend and a lot of work to complete, making it difficult to squeeze in work hours.
That being said, it’s not impossible to work alongside the program, but it would be essential to have a flexible job in terms of hours and days worked. This would make it easier to organize your time and balance your work and academic commitments effectively.
Doing a PhD afterwards
If you’re considering doing a PhD after completing a Master’s program with 60 CP, you might run into some difficulties. In Europe, many universities require you to have completed 300 credit points to have a „proper“ Master’s degree. In Spain, a Bachelor’s degree is typically 240 credit points, followed by a Master’s degree of 60 credit points, reaching a total of 300 credit points.
However, if your Bachelor’s degree is less than 240 credit points, then with the 60 CP Master’s program, you might not reach the 300 credit point threshold. This can be a big problem when applying for PhD positions, as many universities require candidates to have completed 300 credit points.
Personally, I had difficulty finding a PhD position because of my 60 CP Master’s program. Even the University of Barcelona (UB) told me that I would need to complete another Master’s degree to qualify for a PhD program there. However, it’s not impossible to find a position, but you might have to compensate for the missing credit points in some way. The specific requirements for each university and professor can vary.
In hindsight, my advice to my younger self would be to ensure that if you plan to pursue a PhD, then complete a Master’s program that reaches the 300 credit point threshold. This will eliminate any administrative issues that might arise and make it easier to find a position.
If you’re considering doing a PhD after completing the MSc International Business program, it’s essential to note that the program is primarily intended to prepare students to work in international business companies. The focus is on the business aspect, with relatively little emphasis on research. While the second semester does include some courses such as quantitative methods and the Master’s thesis is academic, there are not many opportunities to engage in academic research.
If you’re already sure that you want to pursue a PhD after completing your Master’s degree, I would recommend looking for a research-focused Master’s program that provides a stronger foundation in academic work. While the MSc International Business program can be helpful for gaining business-related skills and knowledge, it might not provide the level of preparation required for a successful academic career like other programmes.
The life in Barcelona
In regards to living arrangements, I cannot speak from personal experience about university student housing, as I moved into my own apartment with my boyfriend. However, I can share that the cost of living in Barcelona is generally affordable, but the rental prices are relatively high. As a result, you can expect to budget around 500-800 euros per month for a room in a shared apartment.
I have heard from others that it is easy to find housing, particularly through online platforms, Idealista and Facebook groups.
Barcelona is a large city with many different neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and atmosphere. The city center areas of El Born, Gothic Quarter, and Raval are popular among tourists, as they are close to the port and the beach, and offer many „attractive“ apartments online. However, in my opinion, these areas can be a dodgy, with a higher risk of pickpocketing and other safety concerns, particularly at night. As a woman, I do not feel completely safe walking alone in these areas after dark. I would not move there.
If you are looking for an apartment, I would recommend considering neighborhoods that are situated between the city center and the university. The university is a bit further off, located on the Diagonal in the area Sants. Areas such as Eixample, Sagrada Familia, Sants, Poble Sec, and Sant Antoni are all great options. They offer plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops to enjoy without the same tourist crowds and safety concerns. Also, it is not too far to get to the university by public transport, bike or sharing scooters.
Barcelona has an excellent Barcelona has an excellent public transport system, including buses and metros, which are very convenient for getting around. However, personally, I prefer to use the sharing electric scooters such as Cooltra, Acciona, Yego, or Ruby, as well as the bicing bikes.
Sharing scooters are a comfortable and easy way to explore the city. You can book them through an app and pay by the minute. Each scooter comes with two helmets for your safety. To help you get started, I have included some discount codes, which will give you free minutes to try them out:
- Cooltra:
- Yego:
- Acciona:
Bicing bikes are also a great way to get around the city. Throughout Barcelona, there are many bicing stations where you can rent a bike. However, it can be a bit tricky to access this service. First, you need a NIE (Spanish tax number), which can be difficult to obtain. It is best to check online for appointments or ways to get an appointment. Once you have your NIE (which can take weeks or months to obtain), you can register and use the bicing bikes.
Overall, both sharing scooters and bicing bikes are great options for getting from A to B in Barcelona, depending on your personal preferences and needs.
Michelle Schwarz
XR Researcher
PhD Student
Speaker